2006-10-01

### Birthday portrait

[![ryan_and_ken_painting.jpg](/space/ryan_and_ken_painting.jpg)](http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=400613&SubGal=Portraits)
[![ryan_and_ken_picture.jpg](/space/ryan_and_ken_picture.jpg)](http://keeda.stanford.edu/~kash/pics/miyake2006/miyake2006-Pages/Image8.html)

Every year, around the time the leaves start turning and the air gets crisp, my
birthday rolls around...and every year, when people ask what to get me, I'm
inevitably at a loss.

I like to count my blessings. I'm happy, healthy, I have a good job and a roof
over my head, and I don't really want for very much. That doesn't fly with
family and friends, though, who _have to get me a present, dammit, and why do I
always have to be so difficult_?!

I tried pointing them to my [books](/space/books),
[chocolate](/space/chocolate), and [games](/space/games) lists. That worked for
a few years, but they eventually saw through it. _We can't do that again, we're
supposed to get you something good!_

Well, this year they outdid themselves. Along with an incredible
[homemade pecan galette](http://www.thecosmopolitancafe.com/sd_pages.cfm?pageid=109) and
[The Wire](http://hbo.com/thewire/) on DVD,
I received a striking
[portrait](http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=400613&SubGal=Portraits)
from my sister. Even better,
[I can share it with you](http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=400613&SubGal=Portraits)!

It was a hit at the party. Everyone gushed about how much it
captured one of my most memorable expressions, and
[Ken](http://keeda.stanford.edu/~kash/)'s, with just a few brush
strokes. I can't wait to put it up in my office. Thanks,
[Vanessa](http://vanessaart.com/)!